Blackpool are looking to do a league double over Liverpool this season, and if they are successful it will be the first time they have achieved such a feat since 1947. Holloway’s men beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in October with Charlie Adam and Luke Varney getting themselves on the score sheet to seal a momentous victory.
This will be the Reds’ first visit to Bloomfield Road for 30 years but they will be lifted by the history they have in this fixture, they have met 42 times with Liverpool just edging the battles with 19 wins compared to Blackpool’s 14.
Last weekend Blackpool’s home clash against Tottenham was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions, as was Liverpool’s home clash with Fulham, so neither side have played for a fortnight and they will be desperate that this match survives the arctic temperatures.
Bloomfield Road has suffered with the conditions already this season and the Spurs match was the second postponement of the season. The club has no undersoil heating at the ground so unless the wintry weather abates this game could be another victim of the big freeze.
Team News
Blackpool
Blackpool have no new injury worries for the visit of Liverpool, however Ian Holloway is still without first choice goalkeeper Matt Gilks with a knee injury, and joint leading goal scorer Marlon Harewood with a hamstring problem.
Fringe players Louis Almond (shoulder), Chris Basham (broken leg) and Billy Clarke (ACL Knee) are all long term absentees but Malaury Martin should be ready to return from his knee injury in the New Year. Ian Holloway could be tempted to call on midfielder Keith Southern to add a bit of bite to his midfield for this match, with David Vaughan potentially making way.
Potential Starting XI: Kingson; Eardley, Cathcart, Evatt, Crainey; Taylor-Fletcher, Grandin, Southern, Adam, Varney; Campbell
Liverpool
Liverpool hope to welcome back captain Steven Gerrard after a month out with a hamstring injury he sustained on international duty. And after being rested for their Europa League clash with FC Utrecht Fernando Torres should also return to the starting line-up as The Reds go in search of only their second away win of the season.
Roy Hodgson will again be without Jamie Carragher who is a long term absentee after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the defeat against Tottenham at the end of November. So, Greek defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos is expected to partner Martin Skrtel at the heart of the Liverpool defence.
Potential Starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky; Lucas, Meireles; Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi; Torres
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